ANSTO at Lucas Heights has come to the rescue of parents struggling to find something for their kids to do these school holidays.
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation has launched an online STEAM Club to allow kids to have fun and learn at the same time.
Proving children have a big appetite for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), more than 1000 children signed up for the program in just a few days.
ANSTO's Discovery Centre leader Rod Dowler said it was not too late for kids to sign up to keep their minds active during the coronavirus pandemic.
"This is a new online club that provides kids with something that's fun and educational, but we could not have anticipated this incredible response," Mr Dowler said.
"STEAM subjects are essential areas of learning for school kids. [The program] is supporting what they are learning in school and helping to prepare them for the jobs of the future."
ANSTO usually runs a school holiday workshop program at its Lucas Heights campus, but social isolation measures meant they could not run these holidays.
"ANSTO has been running school holiday experiences in the ANSTO Discovery Centre for years, so we have the experience and expertise in knowing what engages students," Mr Dowler said.
"While we're not able to physically host educational workshops and events on campus at the moment, through our online environment, we're still able to provide a creative learning outlet for kids - and most importantly, keep them entertained."
STEAM investigates scientific concepts through problem-based learning methods used in the creative process, which is a collaborative and visual approach to solving STEM concepts.
Through ANSTO's STEAM Club, students will have direct and unprecedented access to ANSTO experts who will help mentor students and foster innovative ideas and creative thinking.
The program is open to children in years 3 to 8 who are curious about the world around them, interested in experimenting or creating, or just want to try something new.
They must have permission from a parent or guardian to take part.
The program is run through Google Classroom. Children are invited to join weekly challenges. Once they complete five challenges, they will graduate from the ANSTO Education Academy and receive a diploma.
They can then embark on a five-week Master of STEAM course. Children who complete a total of 25 weeks of STEAM Club will become Deans of STEAM.
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